Indian Navy takes delivery of shallow-water sub-hunter

The Indian Navy took delivery of a new shallow-water vessel designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in a ceremony in Kolkata on Thursday, May 8.

INS Arnala is the first unit in a new class of ASW shallow-water craft (ASW SWC) built locally by a partnership formed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T). GRSE is responsible for delivering Arnala and seven sister ships while L&T will supply the eight remaining ASW SWCs.

Named after an island off the coast of Maharashtra, Arnala has a length of 77.6 metres, a beam of 10.5 metres, a draught of 2.7 metres, and space for seven officers and 50 enlisted sailors. The propulsion arrangement consists of three diesel engines and waterjets.

The ship is capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters as well as search and attack. It can also carry out ASW operations in coordination with aircraft.

Arnala also boasts a combat management system and armament consisting of lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets.